spell

Definition of spell

spelled

spelling

transitive verb

1: to read slowly and with difficulty —often used with out

2: to find out by study : come to understand —often used with out<it requires some pains to spell out those decorations — F. J. Mather>

3a(1): to name the letters of in order; also: to write or print the letters of in order (2): to write or print the letters of in a particular wayb: to make up (a word) <what word do these letters spell>c:write 1b <catnip is spelled as one word>

4: to add up to :mean<crop failure was likely to spell stark famine — Stringfellow Barr>

intransitive verb

: to form words with letters <teach children to spell>; also: to spell words in a certain way <spells the way he speaks>